Step #1: Find a “Field Site”

In order to focus your efforts, you need to find people and interactions to observe and engage. We call this a “field site,” where you can witness groups, people and interactions. You will be required to attend this site ALONE. Examples of places include: a sporting event, a coffee shop, a food court, a park, the mall, a farmer’s market, the beach, the airport, or any place where there are enough people around. You may need to switch your field site if there is not enough action or interaction!

Step #2: Conduct a 30-Minute Observation

When you have found your “field site,” go ALONE and conduct a 30-minute observation. Look for particular people you can watch and “get to know” just by observing them and their interactions. Take notes on paper, a laptop, a phone, etc. about everything you see. Make sure you stay for thirty minutes to really get to know your site. While you observe, make sure to focus on the following:

• Identify and describe the field site (location). What are the sounds, smells, and sights you see? When did you go (time and date)? Be as detailed as possible in your description of the field site.
• What social norms (folkways, mores, taboos, and laws) do you see occurring in the field site? Are people following these norms? How do you know? Do you see anyone violating/breaking them? How do you know? What sanctions do you see taking place (think rewards and punishments)?
• What kinds of individuals do you see? What are their roles? What are their statuses and what status symbols do you observe? How are they behaving in their roles? Are their role performances successful…or strained? Choose ONE specific individual to write about in your paper.
• What kinds of social interactions do you see? Who are the individuals, how are they interacting, and why do their interactions catch your attention? What conclusions can you make about the people you’ve been watching just by observing them? Choose ONE specific interaction to write about in your paper.

Step #3: Engage in “Deviant Behavior”

When you have finished observing your site, choose one particular norm that you want to intentionally “break” for the purposes of the assignment. Remember, please do not break a law. Otherwise, you run the risk of legal sanctions! Go ahead…engage in your chosen deviant behavior! As you do so, note the following:

• What specific norm did you choose to break in the setting? Why did you choose that norm?
• Describe what happened during the breaking of your chosen norm. Be specific!
• What was it like engaging in your choice of deviant behavior? How did you feel?
• What sanctions took place when you were breaking the norm or after you engaged in the deviant behavior (think rewards and/or punishments)?

Step #4: Report the Results & Apply the Sociological Imagination

Once you have finished your observation and deviant behavior, it is time to report your results. Please be as detailed as possible, write in complete sentences (no bullet points) and make sure to answer ALL questions using this format below:

First, address the four points in Step #2:

• Identify and describe the field site (location). What are the sounds, smells, and sights you see? When did you go (time and date)? Be as detailed as possible in your description of the field site.
• What social norms (folkways, mores, taboos, and laws) do you see occurring in the field site? Are people following these norms? How do you know? Do you see anyone violating/breaking them? How do you know? What sanctions do you see taking place (think rewards and punishments)?
• What kinds of individuals do you see? What are their roles? What are their statuses and what status symbols do you observe? How are they behaving in their roles? Are their role performances successful…or strained? Choose ONE specific individual to write about in detail.
• What kinds of social interactions do you see? Who are the individuals, how are they interacting, and why do their interactions catch your attention? What conclusions can you make about the people you’ve been watching just by observing them? Choose ONE specific interaction to write about in detail.

Next, address the four points in Step #3:

• What specific norm did you choose to break in the setting? Why did you choose that norm?
• Describe what happened during the breaking of your chosen norm. Be specific!
• What was it like engaging in your choice of deviant behavior? How did you feel?
• What sanctions took place when you were breaking the norm or after you engaged in the deviant behavior (think rewards and/or punishments)?

Finally, address these final points:

• Overall, what was it like to sit and observe others? Did you like or dislike observing a field site? Would you consider doing social observations as a career? Why or why not?
• How does having a sociological lens help you understand what you observed and also your deviant behavior?

This assignment will help to reinforce the first four weeks of our course. It is designed for you to practice observing people, culture and social interaction. It also involves you engaging in “deviant” behavior by breaking a social norm in a particular setting and assessing the subsequent sanctions. Your entire paper should be at least 6-8 pages in length, typed, double-spaced in 12-point font with one-inch margins, pages numbered, your name on the upper left corner, and edited for spelling and grammatical errors. Yes, you can label your “steps” in writing your responses but DO NOT use bullet points. Write in complete sentences with paragraphs.